Family: Fabaceae
Synonym: Abrus minor Desv.
Bengali/Vernacular name: Kunch, Rati, Chanti, Kaich gula, Gungchi, Gunja.
Tribal name: Rangahed biji ludi (Chakma), Yangcripru (Marma), Muiyan-gae (Rakhaing).
English name: Indian liquorice, Rosary pea, Crab’s eye, Jequirity.
Description of the Plant: A perennial, dextrorse climber with slender and tough branches. Leaves paripinnate; leaflets 10-20 pairs, opposite, linear or linear-oblong, rounded at both ends. Flowers in raceme, crowded, pink or white color. Fruit a pod, turgid, thinly pubescent with a sharp beak; seeds ovoid, scarlet with a black spot at the hilum, polished.
Plant parts Used: Leaf, stem, bark, root, and seed.
Traditional
Uses: Juice extracted from leaves of the plant is used for hoarseness, and
sore throats.
A paste made with the leaves and stems of the plant is applied to treat painful
swellings.
The roots have been used to treat
digestive disorders.
Leaves of the plant are used for the treatment
of fever, and dental caries.
Paste made with the seeds of the
plant is applied externally in the treatment of hair loss, skin disease, and leprosy.
An extract of the bark is used for cancer treatment.
Root juice is taken to treat asthma.
Juice extracted from the leaves and stems of the plant is used to treat
bronchitis, and dry cough.
Paste made from leaves is used to
treat leukoderma, boils, and rheumatism.
Distribution: It is common throughout the country.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
